London weighting report gets cautious welcome

Unions responded positively to some of the conclusions of a new report on London weighting from a panel set up by the Greater London Authority (GLA).

The panel puts forward a new formula which could potentially lead to substantial increases in London weighting payments. Unions are, however, concerned about how the formula would work in practice. The GLA panel argues that London weighting for public sector employees should be based on the earnings differential between private sector employees working inside and outside London. The actual amount could vary between occupations and should be applied to the pay-bill rather than be simply a single figure applied to all workers.

Julia Coleman, public service union UNISON's head of local government in London said: "We believe the cost comparison approach is the only fair way to determine London weighting, and that Bill Knight, chair of the panel, was right when he said that whether you work for a bank or as a nurse you occupy the same seat on the tube."

For more on the report and a survey of London weighting see the July issue of Bargaining Report (www.lrd.org.uk or tel: 020 7928 3649); for the report itself tel: 020 7983 4100 or visit www.london.gov.uk.